Imperial Theatre

Imperial Theatre is a not-for-profit organization and the volunteer boards of both the Theatre and its Foundation have done an outstanding job of balancing fiscal matters with Imperial Theatre’s mission and vision. Earned revenue (ticket sales, rentals, sponsorship, etc.) covers 60 percent of the day-to-day operations (a very high percentage for an arts organization) and the balance comes from government grants, private donations and grants from Imperial Theatre Foundation’s endowment fund. Unfortunately these funds are for operations only and do not cover such capital items such as the number of significant repairs and upgrades necessary for Imperial Theatre to continue serving as a top performing arts venue.

Our Capital Campaign

In June of 2008 we launched the $2.5 million Encore! Encore! Keep IT Live Capital Campaign.  With more than one million patrons through its doors since the Theatre’s grand re-opening in 1994 and more than 2000 performances, the toll on Imperial’s equipment, technology and premises has been significant. The Capital Campaign raised over $3 million between 2008 and 2011, and this money has gone towards addressing some of the repairs and upgrades necessary for our Theatre to remain a world-class performing arts venue, as well as ensuring the Theatre’s longevity by building the Foundation's endowment fund.

Our Needs

Urgent Capital Needs - $1.8 Million

• One of the most significant needs was the replacement of the stage house exterior cladding, which, due to the cladding product deficiency, was leaking and causing serious internal damage.  We are pleased to report that Phase One of this task has been completed and Phase Two is almost complete.
• Some of the capital projects had to be addressed before funding was received, because of pressing circumstances, including the purchasing and installation of new sound, ticketing and hearing assist systems and even more recently new lobby and house lighting controls. Completed.
• Wear and tear and changes in technology logically figure in the need for a number of other repairs and replacements, which include the lighting system, seating, stage floor, washroom accessibility, carpeting and the air handling system.  Ongoing.

Endowment Fund Growth - $700,000

• Imperial Theatre Foundation’s $1.25 million endowment provides an annual operations grant to the Theatre. The goal is to build that fund, providing a reliable and increasing source of revenue, making the Theatre less vulnerable to unforeseen circumstances. We have been building up the endowment fund, and still adding to it as funds become available.

Taken together, the capital and endowment elements in Imperial Theatre’s $2.5 million Keep It Live Capital Campaign will not meet today’s needs and help ensure the Theatre’s continued viability well into the future. The figures that were originally provided did not take into consideration the unpredictable rising cost of material and labour.  Imperial Theatre is continuing to seek ways in which to raise further funding to address the remaining needs.

View our Virtual Model of the Repairs and Upgrades needed at the Imperial Theatre.

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